The board and each institution president must run a yearly nomination and appointment process for student representatives on certain advisory committees, with deadlines, minimum term length, and nonvoting limits.
Sec. 61.071. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES ON CERTAIN BOARD ADVISORY COMMITTEES. (a) In this section: (1) "Board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or its successor agency. (2) "Student government" means the representative student organization directly elected by the student body of an institution of higher education. (b) Not later than August 1 of each odd-numbered year, the board shall provide the following to each institution of higher education: (1) a list of available positions for student representatives on board advisory committees, the effective term of each of those positions, and the duties and requirements for each position; (2) a maximum number of nominees determined by the board allowed to be submitted by each institution for each position; and (3) an application form for appointment to an advisory committee. (b-1) The term of a student representative on a board advisory committee may not be less than two years. (c) Not later than September 1 of each odd-numbered year, the president of each institution of higher education shall establish a nomination process for the available positions for student representatives on board advisory committees and shall solicit student applications from which the president may select a number of applicants for those positions, not to exceed the maximum number designated by the board for each position. (d) Not later than the following December 1, the president shall forward the applications of the nominees selected by the president to the board for consideration. Not later than the following February 1, the board shall appoint a total of not fewer than four student representatives to designated advisory committees of the board, including the Common Application Advisory Committee, the Distance Education Advisory Committee, the Financial Aid Advisory Committee, the Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee, the Transfer Issues Advisory Committee, or any other advisory committee created to address the needs of higher education, including committees addressing financial aid, student services, and undergraduate education needs. (e) A student representative on an advisory committee must meet minimum requirements prescribed by Section 51.355(d) for a nonvoting student regent, as those requirements apply to an institution of higher education. (f) A student representative on an advisory committee has the same powers and duties as the members of the advisory committee, including the right to attend and participate in meetings of the committee, except that the student representative: (1) may not vote on any matter before the committee or make or second any motion before the committee; and (2) is not counted in determining whether a quorum exists for a meeting of the committee or in determining the outcome of any vote of the committee. (g) A student representative on an advisory committee serves without pay. (h) A vacancy in the position of student representative on an advisory committee shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the board. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1311 (S.B. 1007), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 827 (S.B. 1729), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.